Downsizing and estate settling
Moving to a smaller home or settling a loved one’s estate means hundreds of decisions. We help you decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard, and we handle the rest with care.
- Keep, sell, donate, or discard
- Auctions for what has value
- Donation and responsible disposal
- Trusted by 350+ clients
A calmer way through a big transition
Downsizing is more than moving to a smaller space. It is deciding what to keep, what to pass on, and what could be sold, often under time pressure and with strong feelings attached.
We begin with a personal consultation, then help you sort, sell, donate, and clear, with patience and respect for what your belongings mean to you.
Downsizing help
- A personal consultation
- Sorting and decluttering
- Auctions for valuable items
- Donations to charities
- Responsible disposal
- Preparing the home for sale
Settling a loved one’s estate
After a loss, the practical work of an estate can feel overwhelming. Our team manages the details, from inventory and appraisals to sales, distributions, and cleanout.
We work with you, your family, and the estate’s executor or attorney, and we keep clear records of what was sold and for how much.
Estate settling help
- Estate inventory and documentation
- Appraisals when needed
- Estate sales, auctions, or donations
- Property cleanout, broom-swept clean
- Real estate through SellWithZero
How it works
Consultation
We meet with you to understand your goals, your timeline, and what matters most to you.
Sort and plan
Together we decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard, room by room.
Sell and donate
Valuable items go to auction; others are donated to charities or disposed of responsibly.
Ready for what is next
We leave the home broom-swept and ready for sale, transfer, or its next chapter.
Talk to Jim Weigl
Jim founded Blue Box Auction Gallery in 2020, after more than a decade in the auction industry. As auctioneer and appraiser, he and the team work closely with clients, from the first conversation to the final settlement.
Questions about downsizing
Where do we start?
With a conversation. Call us or book a consultation, and we will talk through your timeline, what you want to keep, and what you would like to sell.
What happens to things that do not sell?
We coordinate donations to charities where items can be used, and responsible disposal for anything that cannot be sold or donated.
Should we throw anything away first?
Please do not. Items of real value are often mixed in with everyday belongings, so let us see things as they are.
What does it cost to sell at auction?
Our commission is deducted from the hammer price after the sale, and terms depend on the type and value of what you are selling. We explain the commission and any other charges in writing before you consign.
How and when do I get paid?
After the auction you receive a settlement statement showing what each lot sold for and any agreed fees. Payment is typically issued within 30 days of the auction closing, once the buyer’s payment has cleared.
Tell us about your move
Share your timeline and a few photos if you have them. We will call to talk through your options.
- Keep, sell, donate, or discard
- Auctions for valuable items
- Broom-swept when we are done
Prefer to talk? Call (757) 550-0285, Monday to Friday.
Not sure where to start?
Complimentary guides and tools for families, executors, and anyone downsizing.
Downsizing and Estate Planner
Enter the date a home needs to be clear and get a step-by-step plan: sorting, written values, auction estimates, the estate sale, and the clear-out.
Where to Start With an Estate
A five-question quiz for families and executors that suggests where to begin: an appraisal, an auction, an estate sale, a cleanout, or selling the home.
Settling an Estate: A Practical Guide for Families and Executors
Where to begin with a loved one's belongings and home: securing the property, taking stock, understanding value, and deciding what to keep, sell, donate, and clear.